described in 1852 by Guenee, who originally placed it in genus Monodes

Size

wingspan about 21 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG

Identification

Adult: forewing medium brown with small round blackish reniform spot (sometimes indistinct) and diffuse dark blotch in center of median area; median area may or may not contain slightly darker patch shaped somewhat like a shark's dorsal fin; dark diagonal dash runs from PM line to apex; small white or pale gray patch often present at wing base along inner margin (creating an obvious pale spot when moth is at rest with wings closed); hindwing mostly white

Range

southeastern United States (Florida to North Carolina, west to Texas) south to Peru

Season

adults fly from June to November in Georgia; may be present year-round in Florida and the tropics

Food

larvae feed on various plants and are sometimes reported on sugarcane

See Also

Elaphria deltoides forewing shows more contrast, dark median patch has more convex anterior margin, and hindwing is pale yellowish with brown shading (compare images of both species by Jim Vargo at MPG)

Internet References

live adult image by Bob Patterson, plus common name reference (Moth Photographers Group)

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